Vitamin D cuts blood pressure and sunshine is the BEST way to get your daily dose

SUNSHINE could be the key to slashing blood pressure, helping to save thousands of lives a year.

New ray of hope for patients battling high blood pressure [GETTY/PIC POSED BY MODEL]

Boosting vitamin D may offer an alternative to drugs by cutting the risk of heart attacks and stroke, say scientists.

Eight million Britons take pills to combat high blood pressure, which affects one in three adults.

Researchers found that every 10 per cent rise in vitamin D in the system was linked to lower blood pressure and an 8.1 per cent lower chance of suffering from hypertension.

The vitamin is absorbed by the body from sunlight but is also found in small amounts in eggs, meat and oily fish.

High blood pressure is the main risk factor for stroke and plays a major part in heart failure and kidney disease.

A third of those with high blood pressure do not know it, which is why it is called the “silent killer”. The new study, published in the Lancet, is the first to find strong evidence that increasing vitamin D levels could be an alternative to hypertension drugs such as beta-blockers.

Lead researcher Professor Elina Hypponen from the University of South Australia said: “In view of the costs and side effects associated with anti-hypertensive drugs, the potential to prevent or reduce blood pressure and therefore the risk of hypertension with vitamin D is very attractive.”

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Results from observational studies have suggested a strong association between low vitamin D levels and increases in blood pressure and hypertension

By studying genetic variants the team could tell how much vitamin D was in someone’s blood. Those with more had lower blood pressure.

Experts have already called for more people to take vitamin D supplements.

Popping a vitamin pill could also be an alternative to existing drugs, avoiding side effects that include coughing, dizziness, facial flushing and constipation.

Despite previous interest in the research community in the role of vitamin D in hypertension, a direct link between the two had not been shown until now.

Results from observational studies have suggested a strong association between low vitamin D levels and increases in blood pressure and hypertension, but randomised trials have not provided consistent evidence.

Approximately 62,000 unnecessary deaths from stroke and heart attacks occur in Britain every year due to poor blood pressure control, the charity Blood Pressure UK says. Chief executive Katharine Jenner said: “We echo the calls for trials with vitamin D supplementation in humans to see if this can be replicated in the real world.”

But she urged caution, saying it would be “dangerous” to suggest vitamin ­supplements could replace drugs at this stage.